The Shadi Order is a secretive and ancient order of (formerly Mythar) necromancers that was founded by Valekith, a once powerful Archmage of the Mytharil Empire. Despite his immense power, however, Valekith was nearly killed and dismembered during his duels with Emperor Ezekiel and the Crimson Hand. Stripped of both his right and left hands, Valekith's ability to manipulate the Ether and use Rift Magic was severely diminished. This weakness forced him into a prolonged stasis within the Floating City of Netheril, now adrift in the The Netherveil.
To regain his full power, Valekith established the Shadi Order and the Tribunal of Netheril, tasking them with the ultimate mission: to retrieve his lost hands. These hands, imbued with immense magical power, were each possessed by two of his enemies. The Crimson Hand held one, and the Shadowlords of Evernight held the other. The Shadi Order, cloistered in seclusion beyond the Everdark Forest, was commanded to find these severed limbs so that Valekith could restore his strength and reclaim his place as the supreme ruler of the Netherveil.
The Shadi were not the dominant force within the Netherveil during this period, operating instead from their hidden citadel in the northernmost mountains. Isolated from the larger political struggles of the region, they remained committed to their dark arts, perfecting necromancy and Rift Magic under Valekith’s tutelage. As a result, the Shadi Order became adept at manipulating the negative energies of the Netherveil, making them capable of binding restless spirits, raising legions of undead, and casting powerful curses that could curse entire regions of the Shadow realm.
The Tribunal of Netheril
The Tribunal of Netheril, the ruling council of the Shadi Order, was comprised of three key figures:
- The Avatar (Archshadi Neverus)
- The Left Hand (Tribunal Syferin Arkanen)
- The Right Hand (Tribunal Ziomon Shazar)
These leaders were entrusted with carrying out Valekith’s will and pushing forward the ultimate plan to restore their master to his full power. For countless years, they worked in secret, gathering intelligence and power while manipulating events in the Netherveil. They would eventually manipulate The Sunsations to help take down both the Crimson Hand and the Shadowlords, retrieving Valekith's missing hands in the process.
Scheming in Shadows
During the climactic Battle of the Four Armies, the Shadi Order enacted their plan by exploiting the Sunsations to eliminate their enemies. By manipulating events, they ensured that the Shadowlords and the Crimson Hand would clash in a devastating war. The Shadi’s aim was to weaken both sides and, in the chaos, retrieve Valekith’s severed hands from his enemies.
The Sunsations, led to believe they were restoring balance to the Netherveil, were instead pawns of the Shadi Order, manipulated into fulfilling Valekith’s long-awaited return. In the end, Valekith’s hands were restored, and he was poised to take over the Archshadi as his avatar, bringing him one step closer to his ultimate goal: ascension to godhood.
Practices and Influence
The Shadi were known for their isolationist tendencies, remaining hidden and secretive while amassing power in the far northern reaches of the Netherveil. The negative energy of the realm had warped their physical forms, turning their once radiant forms into Shades, having since fully embraced the dark arts of necromancy and soul-binding.
While not widely known throughout the Netherveil, the Shadi Order was feared by those who were aware of them. Their ability to control the undead, manipulate the Ether, and influence the minds of mortals made them formidable enemies. It was said that only the most fervent followers of Valekith could walk among them unscathed, as the order’s use of dark magic was all-consuming.
Their power, while vast, was always in service of Valekith’s ultimate goal—his restoration. With his severed hands returned, the Shadi Order remains loyal to Valekith, now more determined than ever to see their master ascend to his rightful place as the ruler of the Netherveil and beyond.